St. Henry football founder and first head coach Tom Ransbottom dies at 86

The man credited with establishing the St. Henry High School football program has died.

Thomas “Tom” Ransbottom of Rockford died Sunday, October 4, at Tranquility of Rockford. He was 86.

Ransbottom spent 30 years teaching industrial arts at St. Henry High School and became the founder and first head coach of the school’s football program. In addition to forming the team, he helped build its foundation by laying out the football field and constructing the press box, ticket booths and goal posts.

Before beginning his career in education, Ransbottom attended Wilmington College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and lettered in football during all four years. He later earned a Master of Education from Miami University.

Ransbottom spent 34 years in education, beginning his career at Hardin Northern before moving to St. Henry. He also taught driver education, drove a school bus for 18 years and held weekly open-shop nights to give students additional opportunities to develop their skills.

His teaching honors included Technology Teacher of the Year and the Ohio Technology Education Association’s State Teacher Excellence Award. He retired from education in 1996.

Ransbottom was also an inventor, woodworker and videographer. He patented the Super Bender, a tubing bender used in school shop classes across Ohio, and operated Ranny Educational Productions, documenting weddings and other events throughout Mercer County.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Neva; four children; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 12, at Rockford United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 11, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford and for one hour before Monday’s service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rockford United Methodist Church building fund.